Steve Cooper jokingly slumped forward on the desk in mock exasperation when quizzed about transfers after Nottingham Forest’s victory over Southampton.
The Reds boss admits he answers questions about possible business “through gritted teeth”, well aware that plenty of pundits still haven’t stopped talking about the 22 signings which came through the City Ground doors in the summer. January is a big month for the club on and off the pitch, however.
In addition to navigating the transfer window, Forest have some key fixtures in the league and in cup competitions. After moving out of the relegation zone with a 1-0 victory over Southampton on Wednesday night, next up is a trip to face Blackpool in the FA Cup. Ahead of the match at Bloomfield Road, here’s our look at the latest goings-on Trentside.
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Bowled over
Signing announcement videos are a big feature of transfer windows nowadays. The Reds haven’t had the opportunity to match their Jesse Lingard unveiling… yet. But Forest loanee Josh Bowler has been the subject of his own special video, following his return on loan to Blackpool.
The winger signed for the Reds from the Seasiders on deadline day in the summer, then immediately headed on loan to fellow Evangelos Marinakis-owned side Olympiacos. That spell was cut short, and he is now back at Bloomfield Road.
Blackpool marked his return by posting the opening scene from 1990s classic Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves on their social media, with Bowler’s face covering that of Kevin Costner’s Robin Hood. The clip opens with the words “Four Months Later” written across the screen as Robin/Bowler is rowed to shore, before he then sinks to the sand and delightedly cries “I’m home”.
His big “homecoming” will have to wait just a little longer, however. Bowler is ineligible to play against parent club Forest in the weekend’s third round tie.
Keeper returns
Young Reds goalkeeper Nicky Hogarth is back at the club, with his loan spell at Falkirk having ended this week. The 21-year-old spent the first half of the season north of the border and picked up valuable game time as he made 17 appearances.
Plenty of Bairns fans have expressed their disappointment at seeing him go. But boss John McGlynn recently stated that Hogarth was “unlikely” to stay beyond the first week in January as the terms of the deal “had changed” between the two clubs.
McGlynn told The Falkirk Herald last month: “Forest have moved the goalposts a little on that one. They are entitled to do that and we thank them for everything they have done in regards to making the move happen in the first place.
"Nicky is Forest’s player and of course some of it is private, but basically the deal now isn’t quite the same, and it’s likely he’ll go back to Forest. Nicky has now got 17 games on his CV at a very good level and that will stand him in good stead going forward.”
Announcing Hogarth’s return to the City Ground, Falkirk said: “Everyone at Falkirk Football Club would like to thank Nicky for his efforts while at the club and wish him all the best for the future.”
New trend
Gustavo Scarpa got the chance to show what he can do when he made his Reds debut at St Mary’s. It didn’t take him long to catch the eye, with a peach of a ball to Neco Williams offering a glimpse of what he will be able to offer.
The Brazilian has already been making an impact off the pitch, however. In addition to his skateboarding hobby, he is also known for being a Rubik’s Cube whizz, and he has been impressing his teammates with his talent - while also trying to teach them the tricks of the trade.
A few Rubik’s Cubes are said to have been found around the dressing room and on the bus when travelling to away games. Williams posted a video of Scarpa completing the puzzle in 34 seconds - a little way short of the January signing’s personal best of 27 seconds. Speedy by the average person’s standards, but the Guinness World Record time stands at 3.47 seconds, achieved by China’s Yusheng Du. Still, if Scarpa proves to be just as good at getting the right combinations on the pitch, Forest could have quite the player on their hands.
Calling time
While Scarpa is just at the start of his time Trentside, Nottingham Forest Community Trust stalwart Graham Moran has announced his decision to retire from his role as CEO at the end of March. It will bring to an end an incredible 15-year stint in which the Trust has done so much valuable work.
First appointed community director at the club in 2008, Moran has overseen a number of important community programmes such as the “Tricky to Talk” mental health campaign and the “Dream Big” initiative, while also working with the likes of local charities Framework and Hope Nottingham. He was awarded a British Empire Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2021.
Calum Osborne, the Trust’s chief operating officer and deputy CEO, will take over from Moran in the interim. A statement said: “Graham has dedicated the last 15 years to his role at the Trust building it to the significant service provider it is today. Graham has worked tirelessly to promote the Trust, and for this he was recognised by Buckingham Palace with the British Empire Medal in 2021. The Trustees would like to thank Graham for his service and wish him well in his retirement.”
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